Review: Ginger Wildheart – “G.A.S.S.” September

Another month, another set of singles from Ginger Wildheart’s one year effort to produce a monthly fan club type deal for his devoted fan base. The idea of 3 singles a month seemed unlikely at first, but here we are 5 months in, and frankly Ginger has pulled it off thus far, with September’s offering going even further up into the stratosphere of awesome.

The first of the three singles, The Pendine Incident has caused quite the buzz amongst GASS members, being hailed as an instant classic. Honestly, it’s difficult to disagree, as Mr Wildheart returns to a more upbeat style of song, with one of the mostly catchy choruses you could hope to hear. It will be hard for Ginger to top this all year.

Never one to shy away from trying new things, the second track Carriageway Roses is something of a departure. With a bluesy Rory Gallagher/Thin Lizzy sort of riff and an effect used on the vocals for the verse reminiscent of bands like The Alabama Three, this doesn’t immediately sound like something you would normally associate with Ginger. However, it bursts into more familiar territory with a huge chorus, which compliments the verses wonderfully.

Track three is more classic Wildhearts-esque Ginger fare, which is no bad thing. Brand New Original Sin is the sort of track that wouldn’t seem out of place on The Wildhearts self-titled album, or on 555%. As always, it is intricate, complex, and intriguing, but somehow managing to avoid being jarring as it moves between sections of the song. Another excellent track.

Beyond the three singles, this month’s GASS also includes some demos, which provide some further insight into Ginger’s many talents, but also some of the ‘might have been’ situations his varied career has thrown up. The first, Shine, is something Ginger had written for another band looking for a stadium rock type song, which is evident in the track itself. While it’s a pleasing enough track it’s clear that it’s not the style Ginger is most suited to, although he does make a decent job of it, but it’s more intriguing to read the story behind it than anything. In addition, there is Superpowered Superfly, a song written for Michael Monroe.

Of course, as we have come to expect there is more than music to GASS. September brings another instalment of Ginger’s secret history of Rock’n’Roll focused on the criminally underrated Starz, as well as Q&A, Ginger’s Horror Corner (one of my personal monthly highlights) and the podcast (although that will be available a little later in the month due to touring restrictions).

So September is another stormer of a month for Ginger as GASS goes from strength to strength. With each passing release, the £30 a year subscription looks to be even more worthwhile, and although Ginger may not have always gotten the mainstream attention he deserves, at least he can revel in how well received GASS has been, as he continues to innovate the way people receive music. Bring on October!